Mountain Hardwear Direkt 2 Tent 2-Person

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The lightest mountaineering tent you can find.

Sleeping in a cramped bivy or suffering through a storm in a bare-bones shelter just to shave a few ounces just isn't worth it. The Mountain Hardwear Direkt2 Tent was designed for burly alpine conditions, but weighs a jaw-dropping two and a half pounds, so you don't have to compromise protection to travel ultralight on your summit push or ski objectives. The single-wall Direkt2 is, in fact, the lightest mountaineering tent Mountain Hardwear has ever made. Ever.

It's no weak-sauce bivy, though; the floor and walls are made of 30D nylon ripstop and coated in waterproof polyurethane and silicone, while the DAC Featherlite aluminum poles let you pitch from the inside, minimizing the time you spend exposed to harsh conditions. Each corner has two guy-out points for increased stability, and Mountain Hardwear's proprietary Evolution Tension Arch design stabilizes the Direkt2 against wind and snow loads using only two weight-saving poles. It can get stuffy (not to mention stinky) if you're trapped in the alpine during a storm, but there are two zippered mesh vents with integrated snow flaps to get some air moving through your shelter, so you don't have to suffer the weight penalty of nose plugs or clothespins. For ultralight missions in serious weather, the Direkt2 is damn near unbeatable.

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Lightweight, bombproof, spartan

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

If you want a luxurious tent, this isn't for you. There aren't bug screens or vestibules, forget about large hanging pockets to put gear into or lots of room to stretch out with two people. Get used to morning condensation (it is a single wall), being cozy with your tent mate, and lots of tags warning about leaving the vent open or risking suffocation (haven't had any issues with this). However, despite all of the downsides, I love this tent. Its light. Lighter than all the tents with the cooler features. And at the end of the day an extra three to five pounds in my pack isn't worth another 5 square feet of space. Its bombproof, I rode out a three day storm on a 20,000ft mountain in Peru in it. Other people had to constantly get out of their tents to brush off snow, We just tapped the walls and the steepness let the snow fall off extremely easily. I've used it probably over 20 times for snow and mountain camping and its still going strong. For the weight, the price, and the durability, it gets 5 stars. For comfort, well I don't mountaineer because I like to be comfortable.

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Direkt 2

I have used this tent over 8 nights. The main advantage of this tent for me is weight. The temperature of environment was -2 .. +5 °C. I was lucky that there were no heavy rains because the tent is easy to get wet. One night I was in a weak but long-lasting rain (4-5 hours) and tent was leaking. But in colder conditions tent behaves perfectly. Perhaps there is an additional awning (not footprint) to protect it from rain?

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exactly what is says it will do

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I tend to hear a lot of shit about this tent - it's small, doesn't breathe well, not super burly. All of that is true, but what you get out of it is outstanding - a sub 3 lb, 4 season (really 1 season, just the bad one) tent that is perfect for fast-and-light trips that are all the rage these days (for good reason). It's small, but that's also a good thing mid-mountain - digging through snow SUCKS, and a thin footprint makes that just a little easier.

Mountain Hardwear Direkt 2

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Good tent for two

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

The ventilation on the new model is good. I recently bought this mountaineering tent for camping in snow environments (early season). I have used it on one camping trip this year for 3 nights. The material is very strong, the tent's weight is very nice, and the packed size is very nice too. It takes real muscle to set this tent up with the poles and securing the poles inside after the poles are secured is taxing. The setup of the guideline strings are not intuitive. Mountain Hardware should provide some exact set-ups for in windy conditions. The room inside is good for two men and your pads. Plenty of length for 78" long pad and the head room is nice. This single wall tent does have condensation inside in the morning but not a big deal. I didn't get to test it in high winds. I thought the mention of setting up the tent from the inside was a sales gimmick but actually was nice to stay out of the wind. I did use the footprint too. During setup, don't make the side floor stakes too tight otherwise too much stress is put on the door zipper and the side material when getting inside.

Mountain Hardwear Direkt 2

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Outstanding!

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I have the earlier version of the Direkt 2 and I see Mountain Hardwear has addressed the issues I have with it. These are not show-stoppers, mind you...namely, reinforced guy points and more of them, a vestibule option (I can't knock the one I have for not having one as I knew that when I bought it), and improved venting (the one vent could stand to be larger...perhaps the new one with two will work a little better...but this is a winter issue so again...I can't knock the tent for it). Those are minor but worth mentioning however, overall, I'm ecstatic with my [older] Direkt 2. I would GLADLY drop 5 1/2 bills on the new and improved version based on my experience with the earlier model. In terms of performance...it stood up to freight train wind gusts in the Colorado Rockies...I'm REALLY impressed with the "virtual pole-sleeve" design...and you just can't beat it for the weight. I did have some condensation, particularly around the vent but it was rather cold (teens)...if you pay attention to the venting and keeping it clear you will minimize this issue...but again, this is more of a winter issue than a tent issue in my opinion.

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I have the old BD hilight tent with the yellow epic fabric, and at 6'6 I barely touch each end. Does any one know how these tents compare length wise? The specs say the same, but with bivy tents you really never know...

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I have the 2014 version of the Direkt2. The poles attach inside the tent via a series of very small toggles and loops, instead of the velcro strips used on earlier models. I've had a heck of a time trying to secure those toggles in sub-freezing, windy conditions. Anyone have similar experiences, or found a way to secure those toggles in the freezing alpine environments this tent was designed for?

Answer Lawrence S.'s Question

Yeah I have the same model. The toggles are a pain. I find getting the boots off and getting all the way into the tent helps. Harder when you have to do it single handed but try to get the tip of the toggle 1/2 through the loop, angle it into the loop then twist it away from the pole into place. The rest is just taking your time while you get it done. Don't try to rush it and get pissed.

Most tents have some element that makes them a bit of a pain to setup in the freezing cold. It's one of those tasks like strapping up crampons, rigging an anchor, and kitchen duty that because its critical you have to push aside fatigue, accept the discomfort, and pay close attention, to get it done.

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Hello , sorry about minute early post was having a hard time posting. Anyways, I am seeking a tent that will keep me dry ALL night long. I want to crawl into a tent from a long day of kayaking in rain and high seas and know at night I will be DRY. I was looking at the Black Diamond Eldorado also. Am really seeking options on what would best uphold water. Ocean water breaks down water resistance and now need to look for new tent. Any ideas or suggestion would be great. I also want to use for packing in glaciers, so it has to be true to the water resistance.

Answer Darci Womack 's Question

I'd recommend looking into tents that do not have a single-wall configuration (which is most 4-season tents). While these are really good in certain conditions, they don't sound like they would be ideal for your intended use. You will likely get condensation build-up inside the tent, which will cause you to get wet. Instead, consider a tent with a fly that can be continually re-treated with waterproof sprays to extend the life of the tent and keep you the driest. I have always been happy with MSR tents (look into the Hubba line), but Marmot, Big Agnes, and many other brands also make tents that will serve you well. If you are certain you want a 4-season though, you may also want to consider the Sierra Designs Convert 4-season tent.

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I concur... I had this single wall tent for two nights in the high sierra's and it didn't breathe well AT ALL. I found condensation built up and little puddles formed after a mere two nights. Double walled tents breathe better and are more durable over time.